2016-08-04_PR Comm Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, June 13, 2016 out treatment. Commissioner O’Brien reported on information the commission had been told through consultation with the city’s arborist, that once treatment was begun it needed to be continued for the life of the tree or was not viable. Commissioner O’Brien noted that was one reason why the long-term process be- came expense for areas unless those trees were important in a certain area. Com- missioner O’Brien suggested that the reportsfrom the arborist that the Commis- sion received on a regular basis could be shared with the City Council more fre- quently to keep everyone more informed. Commissioner O’Brien noted EAB seemed to now be moving like wildfire, and assured the City Council and public that the city was working locally but also with Ramsey County to address EAB infestation. In response to whether once infestation was found, was there any hope for the tree, Commissioner Gelbach stated that the need remained to get rid of the bark and beetle to remove the danger of further infestation. Councilmember McGehee asked if the city had published information for the benefit of private property owners on removal requirements or past experience in removing infested trees. Commissioner Stoner responded that public or private parties were subject to Ramsey County rules for transporting wood from a quarantined area, such as Ro- seville was now designated. Commissioner Stoner stated that it was his under- standing that the more cost-effective waynow being used was to chip infested wood to mechanically destroy the beetles. Commissioner Stoner advised that there was a plethora of information available from Ramsey County and the State Department of Natural Resources. Commissioner Stoner advised that; and at this time, the recommendation was that if you found a tree in poor condition due to EAB, you took it down, with those infected deteriorating quickly, with a projected five-year cycle from start to finish for the disease, and possibly sooner depending on the health of the tree, with visible deterioration seen as the canopy starts to die off. Councilmember McGehee suggested including educational flyers or handouts for the community and golfers as part of requested public input for the Cedarholm project to help spread the word. Com missioner Stoner duly noted that request; and also noted the expenditure of funds to-date for treatment of significant public trees, which included some on the golf course within a limited scope. Specific to the WildlifeManagement Program and Ordinance, Councilmember Laliberte noted previous discussion about the educational component (e.g. feeding ban), and asked how or when this was being done.